First off, I picked the Sheraton Offenbach because of its low rate of EUR95.20 (~$90), and because I had rented a car, I did not mind its somewhat off-the-city location in Offenbach away from Frankfurt so that I get a cheaper parking rate. Parking at the hotel costs EUR18 (~$18) for a lot in the premises which was not cheap either for a off-city location.
However finding the hotel at night was not easy as the hotel building is blocked by the garden from the main street and it is not brightly lit either. The signage was not that clear either so I had to make one round before getting to the lobby. There was virtually no one in the lobby at 10:15pm and only the front desk agent was present.
The check-in process was straightforward and I was asked to sign the check-in form but that was about it. No mention of upgrades or anything and he was adamant that SPG Gold members only had until 2pm late check-out. Only when I wanted to show the benefits on my SPG app, did he give me the 4pm late check-out. I think it says something when the guest knows more about the hotel rules than the front desk agent themselves.
Room No: 444 Category: Classic 2 Single Bed Room
I was also provided a room far away from the elevator which was against my room preference so another strike against this hotel once again. Once inside the room, there was a bit of a smell. The room was basic with a standard bathroom with the usual Sheraton bathtub and shower combination. Amenities in the bath was lacking with no conditioner provided, as only the shampoo, shower gel and lotion was present. Some signs of the hotel holding back on things is a bad sign of cutting corners!
Inside the room, there was 2 single beds though the room was quite dimly lit even with all the lights turned on. The room resembles more of a motel and lighting is very important in making a room comfortable. Furthermore, the room furnishings look like it came from the 80s, so it was definitely very old. To top it off, there was not enough power ports close by the desk or anything to be useful!
Another disappointment came when the hotel provided one slippers and one turndown amenity (a small candy) when I had mentioned I booked the room for 2 persons. As it was late, I did not bother asking for another share. As a matter of principle, I thought it was just an very bad attention to detail.
The age of the room decor extends all the way to the room corridor which does make it look somewhat like a highway side motel rather than a city hotel. Fortunately it was only for a one night stay.
While the room and walkway to the rooms are generally terrible to spend time in, the hotel has some other facilities like a restaurant and bar on the ground floor. They are okay spaces inside a hotel and makes some semblance of a proper hotel.
Then there is also a fitness centre that seems to be with standard equipment. However the hotel feels very empty and I think it resulted in the low rates.
In the future, there is no chance of me heading back to this hotel as Offenbach is really a small part of Frankfurt that has got nothing. Furthermore, the rates in the hotel are not exactly what I call cheap to the extend that I find it a good deal. Especially not with the run-down condition of the hotel rooms and the really dowdy feel of this place.
